small question about small parts

[pjungwirth]

Hey all--

I'm building a computer for the first time, and I've run into a minor detail. You know all those 2-, 3-, and 4-pin power connectors that really only have two wires, the ones for LEDs and the PC speaker and the soft-on button and whatnot? Most of them have either a colored wire and a white wire or a colored wire and a black wire. My question is, how do you know which way they plug into the motherboard? I can't find this information in my motherboard manual. I was hoping for a principle like "white is always ground," but there doesn't seem to be one. Am I missing something really obvious here?

A second question, which may moot the first one: Can I just try both ways of plugging in the connector without worrying about damaging anything? I'm really tempted to just experiment, since if it was important you'd think they'd say something in the manual, but I figured I'd ask anyways.

Thanks for your help!

--Paul
~{:-)

[hiredgoonz]

I've tried white as ground and sometimes it works, someties it doesn't, I don't think you can hurt anything by reversing them...I haven't yet...

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

[Paleo Pete]

Usually the colored wire is hot, white or black ground. That's not always the case, but most of the time...As stated above I have never had any problems switching them, and I've had to find out how several plugged in by trying each way.

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[pjungwirth]

Thanks for the info! I'll just fiddle with them until they work right, then. I'm almost done building this computer, but the hard drive is still in the mail. It's hard to install an operating system when you don't have any place to install it to! Anyway, I'll let you all know how it turns out. This site has been my primary source of info for the last month or so as I've researched the details of each component. These forums are invaluable! Thanks for everyone for making the PC Guide such a great place to learn.

--Paul
~{:-)